New Covid Vaccine to Prevent Infection and Transmission
March 13, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Register to attend a free NCI webinar to learn about a new adjuvanted subunit mucosal Covid-19 vaccine. Study results show that this new vaccine prevents SARS-CoV-2 transmission and infection. Most SARS-CoV-2 vaccines focus on delivering immunization through an intramuscular injection. This new technology combines an initial intramuscular injection with subsequent intranasal boost administration of a novel, molecular adjuvant nanoparticle formulation. The technology is available for collaborative development and/or licensing.
The Inventor
Jay Berzofsky, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief, Vaccine Branch
Center for Cancer Research
National Cancer Institute
About the Technology
This vaccine technology includes a unique nanoparticle formulation comprised of a SARS-Cov-2 spike protein antigen combined with TLR agonists (CpG & Poly I:C and cytokine IL-15) as adjuvants, encapsulated in PLGA or DOTAP nanoparticles.
In vivo and transmission study results demonstrate that:
- The mucosal vaccine induces robust humoral and cellular immunity, as well as trained innate immunity in vaccinated macaques.
- Following SARS-CoV-2 intranasal and intratracheal exposure, vaccinated macaques did not show detectable subgenomic RNA in either of their upper or lower respiratory tracts, compared to naïve controls.
- Vaccinated macaques were more effective at clearing input virus in the nasal mucosa from which it could be transmitted to others.
- The vaccine is effective at preventing transmission from vaccinated infected hamsters to naïve hamsters co-housed with them.
These results show that this mucosal vaccine can protect against respiratory SARS-CoV-2 exposure and may enhance the protective effect of systemic vaccines, making it a good candidate for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Its ability to prevent transmission to individuals without immunity addresses an important public health need–something that other vaccine modalities have not demonstrated.
Competitive advantages:
- Stimulates both systemic and mucosal immunity; induces both humoral and cellular immunity, as well as trained innate immunity.
- Leads to more effective virus clearance from the upper respiratory tract from which it could spread.
- Stimulates sustained immune response.
- Protects against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- Prevents or reduces onward transmission to others, addressing an important public health need.
- Intranasal administration avoids painful injection.
- Notable improvement for manufacturing yield and cost, ease of administration, and distribution as compared to current candidates.
Commercial applications:
- Adjuvanted mucosal subunit vaccines (as single agents)
- Vaccine composition(s)
- Co-administration to enhance the effect of systemic immunization